1995 Chrysler Cirrus LXi from North America - Comments

Transmission, Transmission, Transmission!!!

My college-bound daughter begged me for this 1995 Cirrus LXi; the price was good, cosmetically, it's beautiful and despite my prior misgivings about Chryslers, I caved and bought it "as-is". We have owned it only 1 month and 3 weeks of it have been spent in repair shops. The day we drove it home the trans went into limp mode (2nd gear) while my daughter was doing 70 mph on the interstate. She almost got into a wreck. I drove the rest of the way home and it was fine. Dealer service couldn't find anything wrong with it, but proceeded to sell me $500 of other recommended work, which we did. 2 days later car went into limp mode again. This time took it to a transmission shop who initially told me it needed a new transmission solenoid pack, fluid change, and filter. $600 and 20 miles later, it bumped into limp mode again. Back to the trans shop. Next diagnosis: a re-build. Reluctantly, I approved it, and they claim they did find worn internal seals and clutches. Another $1900 and only 5, yes FIVE, miles later - BUMP - back 2 limp again. And back to the shop. Apparently the brand new TCM (control module) they replaced during the rebuild was defective. Now with the 2nd new TCM, I made it home this time - 20 miles - it's anyone's guess as to how much further before another BUMP. I am now paranoid to drive the car and even more reluctant to give it to my daughter - so she's getting my old Ford and I get this! It has now cost me almost $2000 more than its full retail value. My initial experience has been a NIGHTMARE! Let's see what happens now. By the way, only 46,000 miles on the odo! Unbelievable!!!

HA HA.

I know what you are going through we had a 95 Cirrus LX and it was nothing, but trouble from the day we bought it it was back in 2000 and we got it for 7500 with 35000 on the odo. At 80,000mi the transmission litterally blew up on us and in the three months before it blew it was in the shop litterally 2 months for random repairs related to the engine.

Just an update (I'm the owner of this vehicle). Have put on about 2000 miles since the original nightmare and so far no new problems. (hope I don't jinx the situation by this posting!). Last week, I felt comfortable enough handing it over to my daughter. (and gave her a year of Auto Club!) :)

My 1995 Cirrus did the EXACT same thing, I was driving down the highway at 120km and it went from 4th gear to 2nd gear out of no where, I was nearly killed by the car behind me, but I reacted within split second and turned the car into the other lane which I was lucky was empty. It took over 3 months to figure out the problem with the car, the Transmission was replaced and everyone thought the car was fine, 2 days after picking it up from the dealer the same thing happened and once again near death for me, my mechanic with several other mechanics could not find out what was wrong with the car and it took them 6 weeks of trial and error and continuous limp reaction to finally figure out the issue. I have made MANY fixes on this car and I DO NOT feel safe driving it on the highway anymore, every 2 months something else needs to be fixed, parts are expensive and labor is expensive due to its build, I would never buy a Chrysler again.

Please write again to tell us what action solved your transmission's sudden "limp home" mode change??

Many have had this problem and it is more helpful to complete your entry if you actually resolved the problem. Thanks!

Original owner here again. It has been 18 months, 12,000 miles and the only ounce of trouble since the "nightmare" was a loose fluid line clamp. Regarding the trans update - there are so many issues that can make the "limp" mode happen. Whether mine actually needed a rebuild, I'll never really know. The electronic parts can be temperamental and sometimes brand new ones don't work either. Based on my experience, I would start with checking the speed sensors, followed by the control module, and solenoid. And use ONLY ATF 4 fluid. By the way a GREAT resource is allpar.com. LOTS of good info in there about Chrysler transmissions and other issues. Good luck!

Okay - it's me again. The original post and owner of this car with an update. I had a pretty good 2-year, 20000 mile run but luck has run out. In the past 3 months it has cost another $2500 in various repairs to keep it going. Add new water pump, timing belt, distributor, oxygen sensors, plugs and wires. As of this writing it is once again at the mechanic waiting for a diagnosis as to why it won't start - no spark. I'm guessing computer.

"For sale - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus 2.5L LXi. Only 65000 miles! Recent tune up, new brakes, water pump and timing belt. Car has been well-maintained!" Hope I can keep a straight face.

This will be my final post - the original owner again. Yes, it was the computer, as well as the cam position sensor. Another $1500. Plus front and rear brakes - add $400. I'm into it approx. $4000 since last May and have invested over $10K the past 2 years.

Final entry - two weeks after the last repairs the engine began to fail, something mechanical and internal sounding like a cam about to snap. I have donated this car to charity - who tells me a dealer will buy it, fix it and sell it. I pity the poor soul that ends up with it. This has been a very expensive lesson to learn and how foolish I've been to have had any sort of faith this piece of junk would ever be reliable again. Please see my new post about the 2000 Chevy Prizm (same as Corolla) I bought to replace it! I am now broke!